For CU vs. Texas, see if Buffs have a smooth drive

Looking for a key to this afternoon’s Big 12 Tournament first-round game in Oklahoma City between No. 12 seed Colorado and fifth-seeded Texas? Keep your eyes focused on the paint at CU’s end.

Colorado (9-21, 1-15 Big 12) was able to hang with the Longhorns (20-10, 9-7) in their Jan. 14 meeting, and take the game to overtime, by driving the lane. The Buffaloes’ lost 85-76 but shot 60 percent from the field and got a career-best 34 points from sophomore guard Cory Higgins. Junior guard Dwight Thorne also had success darting inside and added 10 points.

“They did a great job of driving the ball, and we weren’t as prepared as we should have been,” Texas junior guard Justin Mason recalled Tuesday before a 40-minute practice at the Ford Center.

“That’s been a point of emphasis in practice,” he added. “We forgot about (their penetration). They have great guards. Any great guard is going to be able to drive the ball. So we have to focus on keeping in front of them.”

CU’s Higgins said he wasn’t surprised that Texas went to sleep on the Buffs’ penetration because sometimes even the Colorado players forget to attack.

“Everything is supposed to be a scoring cut,” Higgins said Tuesday.

The overtime game no doubt caught the attention of Texas players who must know that it’s risky to overlook anybody in a conference tournament, even a No. 12 seed. Last year, Colorado became the first No. 12 seed in Big 12 Tournament history to win a game. The Buffs ousted No. 5 seed Baylor in the first round.

“We believe we can play with anybody in this league,” Higgins said. “It’s a matter of doing the little things for 40 minutes. We’re going to be focused. It will be a good game.”